In this chapter you will learn about emerging technological advances, what types of technology are on the horizon, and how they compare to current devices. We will also discuss how to get the most from your current technology.
Emerging Technology and Applications
Today, instructional technology is an ever-evolving science that includes the use of the Internet, Laptops, Tablets, Cell Phones, E-readers, Moodle, BlackBoard, Jing, Second Life, The Cloud, and a myriad of virtual networks, blogs, and social networking sites (Six Emerging Technologies in Education, 2012). When looking at what business and industry systems have done with just the Internet alone, it is nothing short of amazing that we are able to participate in business meetings and trainings from the comfort of our own offices and homes instead of travelling to a faraway headquarters.
Emerging technology is sprouting from the seeds sown by the Internet and now touches the average person’s daily life, every business model around the globe, and even includes the learning devices that business, industry, and schools from kindergartens to universities have begun using. E-readers and Tablets are a prime example of an emerging device that has gained a strong foothold in the public and private sector; they are ubiquitous! E-readers and Tablets are becoming a more popular choice for students since the needed textbooks are often cheaper to purchase in the electronic format than it would be to rent a paper copy, making them an economic choice for the student and a more profitable venture for the textbook companies (Personal Tech, 2012). Tablets, like the iPad, are becoming a popular choice for businesses—the possibilities are virtually limitless. Tablets can be used to teleconference, attend webinars, hold training sessions, and prepare and send presentations, among other things.
Another emerging technology that will be useful for everyone from the general public to small business owners to the college student is The Cloud (Personal Tech, 2012). The Cloud is a document storage system that allows the user to save a document to a server, which is then accessible anywhere in the world with Internet access. Using The Cloud allows the user to save electronic documents in a place safe from contamination, loss, fire, and other possible devastating situations. E-readers and The Cloud are just two of the emerging technologies that have endless applications, both in education and business.
Imagine a presentation room where no file folders, binders, pens or pads are needed. Instead, the CEO pulls up the presentation on a computer and projects it on a screen or wall. In the meantime, everyone attending the meeting brings out their Tablet or E-reader and logs into The Cloud to access the presentation, take notes, and make changes or suggestions immediately. This is just one application of both the Tablet, or E-reader, and The Cloud being used together.
Getting the Most From Your Current Technology
In order to get the most out of your technology, you must be familiar with what you are currently using and, in addition to that, comfortable pushing the limit of that technology. Think for a moment, if you will, about your current device. Do you know everything there is to know about it? Do you know about things like shortcut keys, updates, and currently installed programs? Knowing these types of things is the key to getting the most of your current technology (Personal Tech, 2012). Many business and industry models offer the latest types of technology and equipment, but only offer minimal training to use the technology. This can create deficiencies in several areas including personnel who do not completely understand their job, systems that are not being used properly, and the “appearance” or “impression” that the technology is lacking and may need to be upgraded when that is not the case. Giving your staff the proper training and making sure they completely understand their technology ensures you will get the most of that which you are currently using (Pence & McIntosh, 2011).
Future Technological Expectations
The future of instructional technology is limitless; we will see everything from 3D to Holographic presentations, from hand-held devices the size of fountain pens which hold unimaginable data to other “James Bond” devices (Buehler, 2012). Bill Bowman predicts computers which will take used defined input and immediately create a product, cars which will “talk” to each other over the Internet, and eyeglasses similar to headphones in which the wearer can see real-time images such as maps or documents like e-mails (Bowman, 2012).
Smart phones are faster than their predecessors, have more technology crammed into a smaller, sleeker package and feature The Cloud storage, Bluetooth capabilities, and better cameras than some digital cameras on the market (Personal Tech, 2012). Bluetooth is a technology that has been overlooked by many because it is mainly used for cell phone headsets and wireless connectivity in your automobile. Bluetooth has the possibilities of connecting any device in a home, office or university without the use of cables, making the need for cables a possible thing of the past. Charging your devices is also becoming an option without using cables. The PowerMat, offered by Duracell, allows you to place your device on a charging mat instead of plugging it in to an electrical outlet (Wireless Charging Technology, 2012). Apple is also looking at this technology for the iPhone, the MacBook, and iPad (Apple Wireless Charging, 2012).
The future of instructional technology within the business and industry sector is limited only by our imaginations thereby making it unlimited. Imagination knows no bounds.
Terms
E-reader – a mobile electronic device primarily used to read electronically downloaded documents. Tablet – a mobile computer. Moodle – abbreviation for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment, an online course management system. Jing – similar to PowerPoint, Jing allows the user to create video or pictorial presentations. Second Life – an online virtual world, it can used for personal entertainment or educational and training purposes. It has even been used for training medical students. The Cloud (or Cloud Computing) – applications which are run on Internet servers. Hologram(graphic) – lifelike 3D images which appear to have real depth. Charging Mat – a flat device upon which you can place your electronic devices to recharge the battery.
In this chapter you will learn about emerging technological advances, what types of technology are on the horizon, and how they compare to current devices. We will also discuss how to get the most from your current technology.Emerging Technology and Applications
Today, instructional technology is an ever-evolving science that includes the use of the Internet, Laptops, Tablets, Cell Phones, E-readers, Moodle, BlackBoard, Jing, Second Life, The Cloud, and a myriad of virtual networks, blogs, and social networking sites (Six Emerging Technologies in EEmerging technology is sprouting from the seeds sown by the Internet and now touches the average person’s daily life, every business model around the globe, and even includes the learning devices that business, industry, and schools from kindergartens to universities have begun using. E-readers and Tablets are a prime example of an emerging device that has gained a strong foothold in the public and private sector; they are ubiquitous! E-readers and Tablets are becoming a more popular choice for students since the needed textbooks are often cheaper to purchase in the electronic format than it would be to rent a paper copy, making them an economic choice for the student and a more profitable venture for the textbook companies (Personal Tech, 2012). Tablets, like the iPad, are becoming a popular choice for businesses—the possibilities are virtually limitless. Tablets can be used to teleconference, attend webinars, hold training sessions, and prepare and send presentations, among other things.
Another emerging technology that will be useful for everyone from the general public to small business owners to the college student is The Cloud (Personal Tech
Imagine a presentation room where no file folders, binders, pens or pads are needed. Instead, the CEO pulls up the presentation on a computer and projects it on a screen or wall. In the meantime, everyone attending the meeting brings out their Tablet or E-reader and logs into The Cloud to access the presentation, take notes, and make changes or suggestions immediately. This is just one application of both the Tablet, or E-reader, and The Cloud being used together.
Getting the Most From Your Current Technology
In order to get the most out of your technology, you must be familiar with what you are currently using and, in addition to that, comfortable pushing the limit of that technology. Think for a moment, if you will, about your current device. Do you know everything there is to know about it? Do you know about things like shortcut keys, updates, and currently installed programs? Knowing these types of things is the key to getting the most of your current technology (Personal Tech, 2012).
Many business and industry models offer the latest types of technology and equipment, but only offer minimal training to use the technology. This can create deficiencies in several areas including personnel who do not completely understand their job, systems that are not being used properly, and the “appearance” or “impression” that the technology is lacking and may need to be upgraded when that is not the case. Giving your staff the proper training and making sure they completely understand their technology ensures you will get the most of that which you are currently using (Pence & McIntosh, 2011).
Future Technological Expectations
The future of instructional technology is limitless; we will see everything from 3D to Holographic presentations, from hand-held devices the size of fountain pens which hold unimaginable data to other “James Bond” devices (Buehler, 2012). Bill Bowman predicts computers which will take used defined input aSmart phones are faster than their predecessors, have more technology crammed into a smaller, sleeker package and feature The Cloud storage, Bluetooth capabilities, and better cameras than some digital cameras on the market (Personal Tech, 2012). Bluetooth is a technology that has been overlooked by many because it is mainly used for cell phone headsets and wireless connectivity in your automobile. Bluetooth has the possibilities of connecting any device in a home, office or university without the use of cables, making the need for cables a possible thing of the past. Charging your devices is also becoming an option without using cables. The PowerMat, offered by Duracell, allows you to place your device on a charging mat instead of plugging it in to an electrical outlet (Wireless Charging Technology, 2012). Apple is also looking at this technology for the iPhone, the MacBook, and iPad (Apple Wireless Charging, 2012).
The future of instructional technology within the business and industry sector is limited only by our imaginations thereby making it unlimited. Imagination knows no bounds.
Terms
E-reader – a mobile electronic device primarily used to read electronically downloaded documents.Tablet – a mobile computer.
Moodle – abbreviation for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment, an online course management system.
Jing – similar to PowerPoint, Jing allows the user to create video or pictorial presentations.
Second Life – an online virtual world, it can used for personal entertainment or educational and training purposes. It has even been used for training medical students.
The Cloud (or Cloud Computing) – applications which are run on Internet servers.
Hologram(graphic) – lifelike 3D images which appear to have real depth.
Charging Mat – a flat device upon which you can place your electronic devices to recharge the battery.
References
Apple Wireless Charging. (2012, October 10). Retrieved from Mashable Tech: http://mashable.com/2012/06/26/apple-wireless-charging/Bowman, B. (2012, October 8). Featured News. Retrieved from Asbury Park Press: http://www.app.com/article/20100103/NEWS/91231066/What-technological-advances-does-future-hold-
Buehler, S. (2012, October 10). (L. Scott, Interviewer)
Pence, H. E., & McIntosh, S. (2011). Refocusing the Vision: The Future of Instructional Technology. Journal Of Educational Technology Systems, 173-179.
Personal Tech. (2012, October 8). Retrieved from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/30/technology/personaltech/30basics.html?_r=0
Roberts, J. (2012, October 8). Education Technology. Retrieved from Emerging Ed Tech: http://www.emergingedtech.com/
Six Emerging Technologies in Education. (2012, Ocotber 8). Retrieved from Saint Xavier University: http://www.sxuonline.com/six-emerging-technologies-in-education.asp
Wireless Charging Technology. (2012, October 8). Retrieved from Duracell Powermat: http://www.duracellpowermat.us/en-US/wireless-charging-technology
Page Author: Linda Scott